Pope Francis Dead at 88

Pope Francis, the 266th pope, passed away on April 21, 2025, leaving a profound legacy of compassion and reform within the Catholic Church. His death has prompted global mourning, with tributes highlighting his advocacy for the poor, environmental justice, and interfaith dialogue. The Vatican now prepares for a conclave to elect his successor, as the world reflects on his impactful papacy.

Pope Francis consistently supported COVID-19 vaccination, framing it as a moral and ethical responsibility. In a January 2021 interview, he called vaccination an "ethical choice" to protect one's own life and others, denouncing vaccine refusal as "suicidal denialism." He reiterated this in August 2021, describing getting vaccinated as "an act of love" in a public service announcement with the Ad Council, emphasizing its role in promoting the common good, especially for the vulnerable. In January 2022, he escalated his rhetoric, suggesting vaccination is a "moral obligation" and criticizing those swayed by "baseless information" to refuse it.

He and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI received their first vaccine doses in January 2021, with Francis fully vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech shots. The Vatican clarified in December 2020 that using vaccines developed with cell lines from aborted fetuses is "morally acceptable" due to the remote connection to abortion and the urgent need to protect lives. Francis also advocated for equitable vaccine access, condemning monopolistic practices that hinder distribution to poorer nations.

Pope Francis, since his election in 2013,

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